Demonstrators march on the street near a security checkpoint inaugural entrance, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. AP/Jose Luis Magana Since Trump has taken office, his first orders as president have sparked a wave of activism around the US.

"In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore," the Women March's site reads.

Here's a look back at some of the biggest marches in American history.

An anti-Vietnam War protest in Washington DC — November 15, 1969

AP

Between 500,000 and 600,000 people demonstrated against the Vietnam War in DC, which had led to thousands of deaths by 1969. Coalitions started organizing smaller rallies in 1967, eventually leading up to the large anti-Vietnam march two years later.

The Solidarity Day march in Washington, DC — September 19, 1981

AP

The Solidarity Day march was a rally of about 260,000 people in DC in 1981. It was in response to President Ronald Reagan's decision to fire 12,000 air traffic controllers who went on strike and demanded wage increases and safer working conditions.

The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation — April 25, 1993

AP

Between 800,000 and a million people marched on the National Mall in 1993 for LGBT rights. The organizers' primary demands were civil rights bills against discrimination, an increase in AIDS research funding, and reproductive rights.

The Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — October 25, 1997

AP

In 1997, two years after the Million Man March, anywhere from 500,000 to 2 million people convened for the Million Woman March. The event, which was held on a rainy Saturday in 1997, included prayer, musical performances, and speeches by local organizers and civil rights activists.

Protests against the Iraq war in America's largest cities— February 15-16, 2003

Reuters

As a protest to George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, between 10 to 15 million people marched in 600 cities across the world in 2003. At least 500,000 people protested in American cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The effort also extended internationally with marches in over 60 countries on every continent — including Antarctica.

"We must create a society in which women — including Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women — are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments," its organizers wrote.

Popular from BI Prime

Close iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.